Panama, Central America

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Panama Itinerary:

Before I begin, I'd like to say that in terms of accommodation, almost everywhere, there is Selina, which is a beautiful and well-designed hostel. Usually, it's located in the best spot, filled with tourists and parties. The fun thing about it is that Selina is always an attraction itself, offering yoga, surfing, a cool bar, a pool, and you can really spend time there even during the day. Therefore, it's almost always the most successful hostel wherever you go. Besides, almost everywhere has a Selina shuttle, which is usually more expensive than a local one, but much more convenient. There's a Selina app, which is really convenient, and you can use it to book rooms and shuttles, so it's worth downloading. When it comes to rooms, you should always compare the prices in the app to Booking.com because sometimes they have slightly lower prices on specific dates. In general, the prices are $45 for a double room with shared facilities or $65 for a larger double room with private facilities.

Panama City:
A taxi from the airport should cost around $25 to the city center. You can arrange it with Eran if you are going to his hostel. The city isn't particularly pleasant, especially in terms of safety, and it's quite westernized and boring. There is a mall that is the most western one around with all the regular shops, and it has a sushi restaurant called Nacion Sushi, which is delicious.

Hostels:

Coco Loco Hostel, owned by Eran (where we stayed). It's cute, and Eran is a nice guy who helps a lot with planning the rest of the trip. It's said to be the cheapest and easiest way to book San Blas through him.
Luna's Castle, located in a very cool area called Casco Viejo. You should book in advance. It's very safe because there is security in both the hostel and the area.
Los Monstros.
La Dolce Vita.
Selina.

Through Eran, Luna's Castle, and Selina, you can probably book trips to San Blas, and most likely through the other hostels as well.

San Blas - Guna Yala Islands:
You can leave from Panama City for one or two nights on a single island. The beaches are amazing. You'll take a small bag with essentials for those days and leave your suitcase in Panama City.

The prices for a night in San Blas include three meals, but they are not sufficient. You need to bring additional food and plenty of water. The water there is expensive, and there's not enough of it, about 6 liters per person or even more. Also, bring fruits, snacks, and vegetables, as the food there is not enough.

Transportation Options:

You can book it through the hostels, which includes transportation. You leave Panama City at around 5:30 AM and arrive around 10 AM. On the day of departure, you leave either at 8 AM or in the afternoon, depending on which island you are going to. During the journey, there are stops where you can buy items for the islands, so you don't need to do it in advance (but confirm this).
If you want to travel independently, there is transportation to the place where you take the boat to the islands, and it costs between $30 to $60 (different people told me different prices). The boat ride from there to the island itself is about $20, and you pay an additional $20 fee for entering San Blas territory. Each night costs between $26 to $40, including three meals.

Islands:

Franklin/Snipe Cays: This is essentially two halves of the same island. Franklin is better. This is where most Israelis go. If it's in the season, it will probably be crowded with Israelis because Eran sends everyone there. When it's not in the season, it's relatively empty and stunning (you can almost have it to yourself). The price through Eran is $133 for transport plus all meals and the first night. Each additional night (including meals) is $36. There is a fridge there, and sometimes they let you store small items in it.
Chichime: A quiet island suitable if you are in the season and coming for Franklin. The price through Eran is $177 for transport plus all meals and the first night.
There are many other options. In reality, most of the islands look quite similar, so it doesn't matter much which one you choose.

Note that there are night animals on the islands, such as geckos, jockeys, mosquitoes, and crabs. The linens on the beds in the rooms can be quite unpleasant, so if possible, it's worth bringing your own linens or at least a sheet. Some of the islands have rooms with sandy floors, while others have regular floors. It doesn't make much of a difference, but in rooms with sandy floors, more insects may enter at night.

You can also arrange snorkeling or star-gazing tours on some of the islands.

Playa Venao:
A cool beach town with a strong Israeli presence and a vibrant surf culture. It's essentially a town that many Israelis have established in Panama. There aren't many things to do in the town itself, mainly people stay there.

The entire town is basically one long street along the water, with the central area containing Selina and several other hostels, along with plenty of restaurants. Further down the long street, you'll find more hostels.

On the other side of the long street (not the beach side), there's a forest with some trails where you can walk through the jungle alongside beautiful rivers.

Ways to Get There from Panama City (around 5.5 hours of travel, shuttles take approximately 7 hours):

Book a shuttle through Eran's hostel in a van. It leaves every day between Monday and Saturday at 7:15 AM, costs $40 per person, and you arrive there at around 2 PM.
Shuttle with Selina, also $40, every day at 7:15 AM, arriving at around 2 PM.
Independent Travel: Take a taxi from the hostel to the central bus station of Panama City called "Albrook Terminal," which costs $4-5. From there, take a bus to Las Tablas, which leaves every hour from Panama City and takes about 4 hours. Catch the 7:30 AM bus if possible. When you arrive at Las Tablas, take a taxi to the station where service taxis depart for Playa Venao (a few minutes away). Then, take a service taxi directly to Playa Venao, which is about a 1.5-hour drive. There are only a few service taxis per day (the last one is around noon), so you need to leave Panama City early (e.g., take the 7 AM bus).

Hostels:

Selina - They offer a double room for around $40 (micro), and they have bungalows for around $30 (prices may vary by dates). They have a pool and a good atmosphere.
Beach Break - Very close to Selina, charming, and worth checking out.
Venao Cove - A cool place. Cozy and well-maintained. They have surfboards for rent, and it's only a 30-second walk from the central area of Selina and the restaurants, but you can also catch rides on the street.
Eco Venao - Quite rustic and unique, located in the jungle. It's a 20-second walk from the central area of Selina and the restaurants, but you can also catch rides on the street.
There's a hostel called "Tifriti," which is not recommended.

Recommended Food Places:

Selina's restaurant - Very tasty, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all-day smoothies or fruit bowls. A significant advantage is that it's right on the water.
Another restaurant on the water called "El Sitio" - Great salads and delicious seafood and fruit options. A nice place to hang out.
"MAMU Seafood" - A local spot with lots of fried fish and seafood, very fresh and delicious.
"Bicicleta" - A place with a burger, fish, pasta, and more. Everything is tasty, and it's a pleasant spot to hang out.
"Surf Dojo" - Located next to the Eco Venao hostel, not in the main restaurant area. They serve excellent acai bowls and shakes. Right on the beach.

Bocas del Toro:
Bocas del Toro is a popular destination in Panama, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Here are some tips for traveling to Bocas del Toro from Playa Venao:

Travel Options from Playa Venao to Bocas del Toro: The journey from Playa Venao to Bocas del Toro can take around 9-12 hours, depending on the route you choose. Here are some options:

Direct Shuttle from Selina: You can take a direct shuttle from Selina in Playa Venao to Bocas del Toro for $60 per person. This shuttle operates on Mondays and Wednesdays from Playa Venao to Bocas and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Bocas to Playa Venao.
Bus to Las Tablas and Then to David: You can take a direct bus from Playa Venao to the town of Las Tablas, which leaves at 7 AM. From Las Tablas, you can catch a bus to David, and then another bus to Bocas del Toro. This option may take longer and require transfers.
Return to Panama City and Then to Bocas: Another option is to return to Panama City and then catch a direct bus from there to Bocas del Toro. This may be a more convenient route, especially if you can find a direct bus from Panama City to Bocas.

Arrival in Almirante and Ferry to Bocas del Toro: Once you arrive in Almirante, you'll need to take a ferry to Bocas del Toro. The ferry ride takes about half an hour and costs $6 per person. It's recommended to arrive in Almirante before 6 PM as ferry services may stop in the evening. If you arrive later, there are private boat options available for around $80 per boat (up to eight people).

Exploring Bocas del Toro: Bocas del Toro offers a variety of beautiful beaches and islands to explore. Some of the main highlights include:

Bocas Town: This is the main town on Isla Colón and is where you'll find most of the restaurants, hostels, and nightlife. It's a lively area with plenty of options for dining and entertainment.
Beach Activities: Bocas del Toro is known for its stunning beaches. You can relax on the beach, swim, snorkel, or take boat tours to nearby islands.
Red Frog Beach: This is a specific area on Isla Bastimentos known for its beautiful beach and red poison dart frogs. It's worth visiting for a day trip or longer.
Water Sports: Bocas is a great place for water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. You can rent equipment and take lessons if needed.

Hostel Options: Here are some hostels and accommodations in Bocas del Toro:

Selina Isla Colón: Located right on the water, this hostel is charming and centrally located on Isla Colón.
Selina Red Frog: This Selina location is right on the beach and has a specific island vibe. You can stay here for a night if you want to explore the Red Frog Beach area.
Barrbra BnB Over the Sea: A simple and beautiful place located right over the water.
Casa Verde: A laid-back and affordable hostel option.
Bocas Inn: Located right on the water with hammocks and a relaxed atmosphere.

Islands/Beaches of Interest to Visit:

Cayo Zapatilla - The most beautiful island with perfect turquoise waters. There are tours from Bocas del Toro or other locations that take you to this island. Along the way, you might see dolphins, starfish, sloths, and more. On the island itself, there isn't much except natural beauty, so it's a good idea to bring provisions like snacks and water. The tour costs around $30 per person. Alternatively, you can hire someone with a private boat for a similar price, which can be more enjoyable as you can arrive early when the island is less crowded.
Red Frog Beach - The boat trip costs about $10 round trip, and there's a $5 entrance fee to the beach. There's a nice beach bar on Red Frog Beach, which is great for spending a whole day. You can also arrange the trip through the hostel in Bocas del Toro, and it will cost $15, including access to the beach bar, making it almost like a free entry.
Playa de las Estrellas (Star Beach) - You don't need a boat for this one as it's on Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro. You can take a bus from the central square of Bocas for about $3, which takes about half an hour. From where the bus drops you off, you'll need to walk a bit to reach the most beautiful spot. Alternatively, you can take the Speed Boat that goes directly to the most beautiful spot on the beach. There are places to sit and eat on the beach, making it a great place to spend a significant amount of time.
Drago Beach - To get there, you'll need to take a taxi and then a boat, which costs approximately a dollar. Drago Beach is a great place to spend the day with bars, starfish, and crabs. Make sure to arrange with the taxi driver a specific time for them to return and pick you up.
Solarte Island - Accessible by a short boat ride (5 minutes, $5). It's recommended to spend the night on the island, and a good place to stay is Bamboda Lodge, which costs around $60 per night for a double room. You'll need to dine there, which costs approximately $10-15 per meal.
Salt Creek Beach - There's a hotel with a beautiful pool located there.
Estrellas Beach - A lovely beach to explore.

Food Recommendations:

Cafe Del Mar - A boutique Tel Aviv-style restaurant that offers delicious food suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While it's not directly on the water, it provides a great dining experience.
La Buga Dive & Surf - This place is located right by the water, offering a beautiful setting to enjoy your meal. They serve excellent food, shakes, and refreshing beverages.
Brother’s Bocas - Known for its excellent burgers, Brother's Bocas is a must-visit for burger enthusiasts.